Kasar Devi
Almora, Uttarakhand, India • 29.64°N, 79.64°E
📖 About Kasar Devi
- ✦At 1,249m (4,097 ft), Kasar Devi temple sits 5 km north of Almora town
- ✦Alleged geomagnetic anomaly attracted Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and hippies in 1970s
- ✦Temperatures stay cool year-round - May peaks at 38°C (100.4°F), January drops to 3.1°C (37.6°F)
- ✦Limited guesthouses, spotty mobile connectivity, and only basic cafes in the village
Five kilometres north of Almora on a pine-covered ridge, Kasar Devi temple dates to the 2nd century CE and sits at 1,249m (4,097 ft). The village gained international attention in the 1960s and 1970s when Western travellers - including Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, and George Harrison - arrived claiming the site sits on a Van Allen Belt with unusual geomagnetic properties similar to Machu Picchu and Stonehenge. Today, you find a mix of long-term foreign residents, yoga retreats, and weekend visitors from Delhi, 365 km away.
The original Kasar Devi temple complex remains small - a single shrine to the goddess, maintained by a local priest, with no entry fee and open dawn to dusk. The larger draw now is the village itself, which has around 15 guesthouses, several organic cafes, and hilltop spots for sunrise views over the Himalayas. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary lies 30 km south, and Katarmal Sun Temple - India's second most important sun temple after Konark - sits 17 km away. Unlike crowded Nainital or Mussoorie, Kasar Devi sees fewer than 50 visitors on weekdays outside peak season.
Writers, solo travellers, and those seeking quiet meditation favour Kasar Devi over party-oriented hill stations. Mobile connectivity fails frequently - BSNL works better than private networks - and the nearest reliable ATM sits in Almora town, 5 km downhill. Only two or three shops sell basic supplies in the village itself.
🎯 Things to Do in Kasar Devi
The 2nd-century stone temple sits at the village centre, dedicated to Kasar Devi, a local form of Durga, with panoramic views of Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Panchachuli peaks on clear days. The temple opens daily from 6 AM to 7 PM with no entry fee, though donations are accepted. Mornings between 7-9 AM offer the best visibility before clouds roll in, and the priest performs simple aarti at sunrise and sunset.
Crank's Ridge, 1.5 km uphill from the temple along a marked trail, provides 360-degree Himalayan views and draws photographers at sunset. The 20-minute walk involves moderate uphill sections - wear proper shoes and carry water. Weekends see 10-15 people gathered by 5 PM, while weekdays remain nearly empty.
Katarmal Sun Temple, built in the 9th century and dedicated to Surya, lies 17 km southeast requiring a taxi or your own vehicle plus a short 300-metre uphill walk. The temple complex stays open 7 AM to 6 PM with no entry fee, showcasing intricate stone carvings and 44 smaller shrines (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Most visitors combine this with Kasar Devi in a single day trip from Almora.
Half a dozen small cafes along the main road serve organic food, herbal teas, and baked goods - Mohan's Binsar Retreat Cafe and Krishna Organic Cafe are the most established. Expect simple menus with limited choice, prices around Rs 150-300 per meal, and slow service (confirm locally — rates vary by season). These spots attract long-term residents and serve as informal gathering places rather than quick eateries.
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, 30 km south at 2,420m elevation, offers forest trails, leopard sightings (rare), and Zero Point viewpoint with unobstructed Himalayan panoramas. Entry costs Rs 150 for Indians, Rs 600 for foreigners, plus Rs 200 vehicle fee, with gates open 7 AM to 5 PM (confirm locally — rates vary by season). The drive takes 1.5 hours on winding roads, so start early for the best light and wildlife activity.
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain (mm) | Humid % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 🌤️ | 3.1 | 22.9 | 37 | 51% |
| Feb | 🌤️ | 3.9 | 25.7 | 36 | 47% |
| Mar | 🌤️ | 7.4 | 31.5 | 47 | 45% |
| Apr | 🌤️ | 12.5 | 35.3 | 39 | 37% |
| May | 🌤️ | 16.1 | 38.0 | 78 | 39% |
| Jun | 🌦️ | 19.0 | 37.9 | 138 | 52% |
| Jul | 🌧️ | 20.5 | 32.9 | 338 | 81% |
| Aug | 🌧️ | 19.9 | 29.8 | 279 | 87% |
| Sep | 🌦️ | 17.8 | 29.6 | 168 | 83% |
| Oct | 🌤️ | 12.3 | 28.4 | 56 | 66% |
| Nov | 🌤️ | 9.0 | 26.0 | 6 | 55% |
| Dec | 🌤️ | 4.1 | 23.8 | 12 | 48% |
📡 Data Source: NASA POWER
Climate figures are 11-year averages from NASA POWER satellite data. Values represent conditions for the broader Almora region, not exclusively Kasar Devi. Actual conditions at this specific location may vary due to local elevation and terrain. Always check a local forecast before travel.
🚗 How to Reach Kasar Devi
💡 Visitor Tips
At 1,249m elevation, March days reach 31.5°C (88.7°F) but evenings cool to 7.4°C (45.3°F), so pack both light cotton and a fleece jacket year-round. Winter nights drop to 3.1°C (37.6°F) in January - bring thermal layers if visiting December through February.
Guesthouses fill quickly during March-April and October-November, so book 2-3 weeks ahead through phone calls - most places do not list online. Confirm booking directly a day before arrival, as some owners live off-site.
The 5 km road from Almora to Kasar Devi remains paved but narrow with tight hairpins - a small hatchback works better than SUVs on these turns. Shared taxis depart Almora bus stand every hour until 5 PM, costing around Rs 30-50 per person (confirm locally — rates vary by season).
BSNL mobile network works intermittently in the village, while Jio and Airtel fail frequently - carry cash as UPI and card payments often do not process. The nearest reliable ATMs sit in Almora town, 5 km downhill, so withdraw before arriving.
Most guesthouses cluster along the 2 km ridge road from the temple, with basic rooms from Rs 600-1,200 and cottage-style stays from Rs 1,500-3,000 per night (confirm locally — rates vary by season). Almora town offers more choices and lower rates if you prefer day trips.
📍 More Places in Almora
🗺️ Nearby Places
Tourist destinations within ~50km of Kasar Devi
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📚 About This Page
This travel guide for Kasar Devi covers key information for visitors including best time to visit, how to reach, things to do, and practical tips. Kasar Devi is located in Almora district, Uttarakhand, India at an elevation of 1249 metres above sea level. Climate data on this page is sourced from NASA POWER and represents 11-year regional averages.